Chapter 422 - Prepare Everyone?

"Did they hurt you?" Upon hearing his question, her eyes softened. 

Without a second, Zoey jumped on him and held him in a tight embrace. "Thank God, you're fine..." She whispered, her face buried in his shoulders. 

That instant, Matthew's back froze. He could feel her shoulders tremble, lowering his boiling point that had skyrocketed due to the news he had received the second he woke up. Thus, he had rushed to this base via his helicopter. 

"I was so worried... I thought I lost you again." She whispered, her hand clutched on his back, creasing his suit. 

Since he could feel that she was terrified, Matthew's hand slowly rested on her back. He caressed her, as if comforting her without a word. 

Still, his brows furrowed, 'again?' He wondered internally, glancing at her who had gone silent in his embrace. 

Meanwhile, the people outside including Kenneth watched the two. Seeing Matthew calm down while comforting the lady, some decided to wait outside and watch them. On the other hand, Kenneth sighed heavily and shook his head. 

"We'll stay outside." He muttered, turning his back against them. Yet, he didn't close the door and left it wide open. 

*****

After some time, Zoey finally recovered. Slowly, she walked back as she held her hand behind her. "No, they didn't." She said, shaking her head sideways with a smile. 

"You got me worried there." She humored, trying to laugh but sounded weak and fake. "Are you alright now?" She asked, her eyes scrutinized his figure and noticed his pale lips. 

"You're not, but still came here." She frowned, not waiting for his answer. "I don't think they will hurt me. Your friend who was supposed to interrogate me acted as my lawyer instead. You could've rested until you're fine." She added, reassuring him of the thing she shouldn't bother with. 

However, her good will wasn't appreciated. "How did you know they won't?" Without batting an eye, his cold voice echoed across every corner of the plain room. "Do you know the person whom they thought you had harmed?" His gaze remained fixated on her, his expression unchangeable as usual. 

If there's anything, Matthew's aura just grew colder and darker. It was as if there was a swirling portal inside the room that one would be sucked into if they entered the vicinity. 

"You don't know our Xi Family, Miss Zhou. So, don't take a bullet for someone you just came to know." He said, his tone unwavering and threatening, giving her the vibe that a line had been drawn. 

Zoey remained silent, pursing her lips into a thin line. 'Yes, I just realized that, love.' She replied inside her mind, still staring at him who stood as if he was the embodiment of danger. 

Indeed, Zoey realized how little knowledge she had about him and the Xi Family. In their previous life, Zoey barely witnessed a few outside layers of the untouchable Xi Family. 

She knew that there were more surprises in this family, but not this level of surprise. No wonder no one dared touch the Xi Family as they stood in their title and status. 

"I'll take you home." After a moment of silence, Matthew offered. Without waiting for her response, he grabbed her by her wrist and dragged her along with him. 

"Young Master —" As soon as they left the room, the earlier-at-ease soldiers immediately stood straight. 

Paul, who had just arrived called out, but Matthew didn't stop in his tracks. Thus, he hastened his pace and followed them from behind. "General Bai wants to..."

Paul's words trailed off as Matthew interrupted him. "Tell him I'll visit him some other time." As he spoke, Matthew didn't pause in his tracks.

"Yes, Young Master." Paul, who understood what he meant, nodded his head without stopping from following them. "Also, Madam Xi... she ordered that you come back at once." His tone lowered, reluctant to relay the message he had received. 

"I'll deal with everyone all at once. Prepare the car." Matthew shut his assistant up by a strong remark before ordering him. 

"Yes, the car is waiting for the Young Master in the usual spot." 

"I'll send Miss Zhou alone. No need to follow me — make sure everyone is prepared." Without batting Paul a glance, Matthew informed. With that being said, he took the path going to the usual spot where his car was waiting. 

Meanwhile, Zoey who was almost jogging to keep up with his pace darted her head from Matthew to Paul. She saw Paul pause in his tracks upon hearing the former's remarks. 

Without a word, Paul just bowed his head as they walked further and further away from him. 'Prepare everyone?' Zoey wondered, seeing the slight tremble in Paul's shoulder as she sensed the odd aura from him. 

Zoey didn't realize that they had reached the exit. As soon as they did, Matthew slowed down. On the other hand, Zoey scanned her head around. 

To her surprise, she found this open area familiar. Aside from the black sedan parked not far away, it was just a wide open space with a building surrounding it. 'This is the place where he showed me those choppers and cars.' Zoey recalled. 

In their previous life, this was the exact place where Matthew took her. Also, the first time she met Kenneth. It still looked the same, but there was a little difference like the building they came from. 

"Stop spacing out." Matthew snapped her from her deep thoughts as he trudged towards the black sedan. 

"Uh," Zoey cleared her throat, hastily following him from behind. There was a man in a uniform suit standing outside the driver's seat. "I'll drive her alone." Matthew just said and the driver stepped aside after bowing his head. 

Just as Matthew opened the driver's door, he stopped upon hearing her. "Hey!"

Matthew raised his head, blinking his eyes as he met her gaze. "I can drive." She said, raising her brows briefly. 

"No. Get in." It didn't take him a second to respond as he hitched inside. 

"Geee!" Out of frustration, Zoey clicked her tongue and hitched inside the front passenger seat. "You know you're not well. What if we get into an accident, ah?" The second she got inside the car, Zoey argued while Matthew was buckling his seat. 

"I won't." 

"Yeah, as if you knew you would faint earlier." Zoey sassed, rolling her eyes as she watched him pause in buckling his seat and turned towards her.

"Buckle up."

"Let me drive." Since she was stubborn, Matthew didn't waste a second and moved closer to her. 

"Hey, hey! What do you think..." As she watched him inch closer, Zoey instinctively drew back. When he got closer, Zoey shut her eyes as she assumed he would kiss her for some reason. 

Seeing this, the side of his lips curled into a smirk. "I won't." He said, shaking his head as he extended his arm for the seatbelt. 

Slowly, he buckled her up. Upon the click of the seatbelt, Zoey slowly opened her eyes. However, Matthew was still staring at her closely. 

'What?' She wondered. She was already buckled up, yet, he was still this close as he stared at her in silence. 

"Nothing." After a second, Matthew replied before he drew back. Yet, Zoey saw him sigh and hesitate before he answered. 

'Huh? What was that?' She blinked her eyes and then turned her head to his direction who was buckling himself up before they sped away.